The United States government has commended President William Ruto for his commitment to fostering regional peace, security, and sustainable development in East and Central Africa. In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Ruto discussed key developments in Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
During their discussion, the two leaders reaffirmed their dedication to resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, a crisis that has drawn significant concern from neighboring nations. Kenya has positioned itself as a key mediator in efforts to restore peace in the region, facilitating diplomatic engagements among conflicting parties.
“Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to thank him for Kenya’s leadership on regional peace and security and discuss recent developments in Somalia and South Sudan. They also discussed the need to end ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan,” the U.S. State Department stated.
The escalating conflict in DRC has resulted in approximately 7,000 deaths and thousands of injuries, primarily due to ongoing clashes between government forces and armed groups, including the M23 rebels. Concerns have been raised that the conflict may spill over into neighboring countries, further destabilizing the region.
“Other than getting better, it’s getting worse. Therefore, it is a source of concern for the entire East African Community. President Felix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame held meetings in the past few days to demonstrate their commitment to ending the war,” President Ruto remarked during a joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on Monday, March 24.
In South Sudan, tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar continue to mount, threatening to reignite a civil war that had previously resulted in over 40,000 deaths. A fragile 2018 peace deal led to the formation of a unity government, but recent clashes, including a takeover of a military base by the White Army—a group allied with Machar—have raised fresh concerns about stability in the country.
Meanwhile, Somalia continues its fight against Al-Shabaab militants. The Somali government, in collaboration with the African Union, is working towards replacing foreign forces with the Somali National Army. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is set to deploy over 11,900 troops by next year to support stabilization efforts.
As Kenya strengthens its role in mediating regional conflicts, the collaboration between President Ruto and Secretary Rubio signals a reinforced commitment to lasting peace in East and Central Africa.
